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Forum - View topicREVIEW: The Story of Saiunkoku DVD 1
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MorwenLaicoriel
 Posts: 1617 Location: Colorado |
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Awwww, this sounds like such a sweet show. I love dark, dramatic scenes and angst, but every now and then a nice, sweet show is good to give my anime habits some balance, too. I might try to check this one out.
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Heretic
Posts: 177 Location: Laurel, Maryland |
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I thought I would enjoy this series, I just didn't know I would it enjoy it this much in the first 5 episodes. I'm usually not a fan of anime of the bishy-infused variety, but something about this caught my attention. What I found is something totally unlike what I perceived anime of this type to be. From the synopsis of the story (and as is the case with most anime with similar setups and stories) I had thought the king to be an arrogant, selfish individual. I was VERY pleasantly surprised to find him to be the exact opposite.
From the moment the last episode on the first disc ended, I was already hankering for the second. I just hope that when the time comes, someone picks up the second season. |
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minakichan
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*HEADFREAKINGDESK* Saiunkoku Monogatari is NOT a happy-go-lucky cutesy romantic comedy. After the first couple episodes, it doesn't have anything romantic in it at all; to compare it to Fruits Basket is just criminal. Heeeck, half the series is practically about random people trying to kill Shuurei! If anything, I would categorize it as historical fantasy political drama. It's about a girl trying to make her place and reach her dreams in a male-dominated world that frowns upon female empowerment. Yes, the first subarc is the whole emperor's consort thing, but that is NOT what the series is about. |
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Key
Moderator
 Posts: 18212 Location: Indianapolis, IN (formerly Mimiho Valley) |
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I was expecting something more like Twelve Kingdoms in tone when I popped this one in the DVD player, so it turning out to be a romantic comedy period piece was quite a surprise. Carl is right about the tone; unrealistically good-natured it may be, but it's hard not to like, and Shurei is adorable. She's certainly my current leading candidate for the year's best character design, but I also love her balance of decorum, assertiveness, and practicality.
EDIT: If this series isn't ultimately about the romantic comedy/drama it has shown so far, then it has yet to prove otherwise. The strength of character of Shurei does suggest that she has potential beyond that, I will admit. |
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Neverwhere
 Posts: 351 Location: socal |
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It absolutely is not ultimately about romantic anything -- yes, those elements are present, and influential to the underlying plot, but this series is truly a political one. The scope of the political machinations is unbelievable, with multilayered relationships and a huge cast of friends and enemies -- most of whom are neither one or the other, and hardly anyone is who they claim to be. It's an incredible drama that offers many twists and turns and always leaves you wanting more. And occasionally confuses the hell out of you, because it really is terribly complicated. Just like real politics. *grins* Shuurei is one of the most amazing anime heroines I've ever seen. She should be a role model to young women everywhere, and I'm actually quite disappointed she isn't more well known. (Hopefully with all the recent publicity for SaiMono she won't remain hidden for long. : ) Her fierce determination to become an official is inspiring, and her personality flaws as well as her attributes make her an incredibly realistic protagonist. SaiMono is also incredibly funny. I laughed more during certain later episodes than I did watching Ouran, and I LOVE Ouran. 
Yes, the early episodes are very pink, and fluffy, and based purely on those I can understand the review. But give it a chance, and you will be thrilled by the riveting political drama that unfolds before your eyes. Juuni koki, eat your heart out. 
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jetz
 Posts: 2148 Location: Manila, Philippines |
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Quoted for truth. The romance in the plot wasn't as apparent as I thought it would be. They really focused more on Shuurei's role in politics - how hard it was for her to get into her position as a government official, the political killings and schemings, etc. Basically, a lot of the villains had a huge thirst for political power and would do anything to quench such thirst. As for Shuurei being a role model, I completely agree. She certainly isn't the usual anime girl with a small brain and huge boobs. She's quite good looking, but her wit is her main asset. and yes, it is surprisingly funny. I thought it was going to be boring, because on paper it did kind of look that way, but I actually got a lot of laughs from it. and about pink. Keep in mind that pink is actually a strong color 
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daedelus
 Posts: 743 Location: Texas City, TX (ajd: 6/11/05) |
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I really enjoyed this volume much more than I thought I would. I found the relationships between friends, siblings, and potential romantic couples to be very entertaining and natural.
Now to find out that the story is going to get much meatier really excites me; as well as the fact that there are 39 episodes. Optimistically looking forward to it.
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Tortoiseshell Tabby Girl
 Posts: 153 |
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Wow, I know that I didn't feel so bombarded by pink when I watched this series. True, I noticed the cover...perhaps some people are overly sensitive to pink?
 I like pink. Pink is the color of some cats' noses, the color of clouds at sunset, the color of my special writing pen, and, yes, the color of sakura!
I'm very happy that I got the first volume of Saiunkoku and I'm really looking forward to the next volume. I am thoroughly impressed by this series. I was swiftly drawn into the story, I just had to watch all five episodes in a row even though I hadn't planned to, I quickly developed a strong affinity for the characters, I thought the artwork was just so beautiful, and I loved the way memories were depicted. Except for one part where I thought a character was positioned awkwardly, I actually found that I enjoyed the animation, even if it wasn't always particularly smooth. But, then again, I don't always expect every show to move like Wolf's Rain and I am fascinated by the ways in which anime artisans seem to make up for lack of fluidity in the animation with gorgeous artwork and clever designs and tricks. And, to top it all off, in just the first five episodes of this volume, I laughed a lot and I was actually moved to tears. I think that was the most impressive thing of all. I love being emotionally moved by stories! 
I also find this series to be really inspiring and uplifting. Happily enough, after watching Shuurei fight the good fight, I really feel like I can meet the world head on!
After reading the comments of the people who have seen much more of this series, I am even more excited about seeing the coming episodes. Political intrigue and an intricate web of character relationships are delicious things, indeed.
Maybe I read it wrong, but I think that Mr. Kimlinger was merely comparing Tohru (and maybe a few other Fruits Basket girls?) to Shuurei, not Fruits Basket to Saiunkoku Monogatari. Actually, even if I had thought that he had made that comparison, it wouldn't have bothered me because I don't think of Fruits Basket as a "happy-go-lucky cutesy romantic comedy" either, probably because I don't like to stereotype most stories and I just don't think of the series as being like that. However, I do think that there is more to contrast between the stories than to compare. But for me, I can personally compare the two, because I fell in love with Fruits Basket just as quickly as I did Saiunkoku and because I grew to care about the characters in both very quickly, too (although my swift love for Fruits Basket may have been deeper...I'll have to think about that for a while). Oh, and I found that I rather liked the dub. I wasn't sure about it at first, but as I watched the episodes, it grew on my fairly quickly. I agree that it's not the super bestest of the best, but it definitely gets the job done in a good way. Of course, I still haven't found the time to watch episodes 2-5 in Japanese yet... 
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Zalis116
Moderator
 Posts: 6869 Location: Kazune City |
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minakichan
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Even still, I'm not sure about that. Shuurei exudes cleverness and steely determination; Tooru is a little slow on the uptake. Shuurei can have a mean streak occasionally, and she's obsessed with money; Tooru has a heart of gold and is as sweet as chocolate cheesecake. Yay for SaiMono defenders! I also agree that Shuurei is a great role model for young girls; it's rare to see a powerfully determined female character seeking a worthy goal that is relevant even today. Too many shoujo heroines are just "cute and nice;" and while that's fine and dandy, it's neither realistic nor empowering. I love how she can place her own determination and dreams above the prospect of power, and even romance. |
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elsie
Posts: 61 Location: Virginia |
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I saw positive reviews, and I put it on my Netflix list. By the end of the first episode I knew I was going to buy it. I love Shuurei, such a wonderful female character, smart and ambitious with a strong heart. I love all the bishies too. But most of all, it satisfies my love of political anime. I love that anime includes Machiavellian plots.
Bishies + politics + empowering heroine? I'm so there. (If only my office politics also had bishies involved. Sigh.) |
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Toshirodragon
 Posts: 166 |
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And her sharp tell you what it is tongue!
Shuurei rocks! Even if Geneon can't hear "Kou". |
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kyraensui
 Posts: 4 Location: California |
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I love this series~! Even though I haven't bought the DVD yet, but I've seen all the episodes of Season 1 and currently watching Season 2. I hope they license Season 2 also. I'm so happy that it is getting good attention.
I watched this series when it first aired, but I remember seeing this in NewType USA Aug. 2006 issue. I'm thinking that it'll get licensed soon and sure enough, it did. Woo hoo~! ^__^ There are more characters that anyone can like. You guys have yet seen a 'walking parrot'.
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Richard J.
 Posts: 3367 Location: Sic Semper Tyrannis. |
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Having read a glowing endorsement of this series when it was first announced, I put it down on my To-Buy list and waited. I'm glad I did. This first five episodes are lighter and sweeter than I initially expected, but there are clear hints of darker things to come (the poisoning attempts, the king's issues, and an elite assassin who might be very close indeed.)
I do think that pink is a major color of this series, but then the narrative itself begins by saying that there are 8 colors that will be important right? Things are starting pink but they won't stay that way. Much as I'm sure Neverwhere, whose recommendation got me to buy this series, will likely be annoyed, I've watched it in English and found the dub a bit more enjoyable than Karl would have it sound. It's not the greatest dub ever but it has excellent flow and I actually think it sounds rather natural, quite the feat considering just how close they are sticking to the original lines. (Of course, those lines are darn good so why change them?) Shuurei has some fantastic scenes and lines both comedy- and drama-wise. (The story of what happened during the struggle for the throne is heartbreaking and inspiring at the same time. Her family is nobility deserving of being called noble.) The character is a perfect example of a well-balanced character. She has flaws and strengths rather than being one-dimensional. The Story of Saiunkoku has me hooked, but with Geneon's problems, I wonder if I'll even get to finish it and who knows what will happen to the second season. I'll buy it as it comes out and hope for the best though because this series is worth it. (I recommend everyone buy the discs for this one. We need to make it attractive for another company if Geneon doesn't make a comeback.) |
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Kyaa the Catlord
Posts: 300 |
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I'm a bit concerned after the news from geneon that this series is doomed to a serious lack of completion.
And that is nearly criminal. |
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